Electron-discharge device



Dec. 3, 1929.

ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed Deb. 12. 1923 Invemtor-z Henm WJacK$om bg K MAA His Att or-n eg H. w. JACKSON- a ,738,430 r Patented Dec. 3, 1929 PATENT OFFICE HENRY W. JACKSON, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELEG- TRIO COMPANY, A. CORPORATION OF NEW YORK ELECTRON-DISCHARGE DEVICE Application filed December 12, 1923. Serial No. 680,238.

My present invention relates to electron discharge devices, and more particularly to devices of the thermionic type.

In the operation of thermionic devices,

a such for example as the common 3-electrode type, which is used for the detection and amplification of radio signals, difliculties are sometimes experienced due to what are commonly called tube noises. Some at least 1c of these tube noises are introduced into the circuits by reason of slight movements of the electrodes with respect to one another.

The object of my invention is to provide a construction whereby such tube noises as originated from the source mentioned may be substantially eliminated and the electrodes will be so held that anypossibility of relative movement between the different electrodes will be substantially eliminated. In attaining this object of my invention the difficulty pointed out will be eliminated and the possibility of two of the electrodes coming in contact with one another and thereby destroying the usefulness of the device will be elimi nated at the same time.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims, my invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in -which I have shown in perspective a device embodying my invention.

I have indicated in the drawing an electron discharge device of the 3-electro prising a cathode 1 adapted to be heated to incandescence, a helical grid 2 surrounding the cathode and acylindrical anode 3 surrounding the grid. These electrodes are enclosed in an evacuated receptacle 4 which is provided with a stem 5 through which the leading-in conductors 6, 7, 8 and 9 are introduced. Leading-in conductors 6, 7 and 8 serve to support the ends of the electrodes nearest the stem 5. Leading-in'conductor 9 is provided with an extension 10 parallel with the axis of the electrodes and extending outside of the anode 3. This extension 10 e type comis surrounded by a body of insulating material 11 near the end of the electrodes remote from the stem. Transverse member 12, which is secured to the extension 10, serves to support the end of the cathode 1 remote from the stem and also to supply current to the cathode for heating it to incandescence. Support 13, one end of which is also embedded in the mass of insulating material 11, is secured to the supporting arm let of the anode. A supportlfi, which is also embedded in the mass of insulating material 11, 1S S5CU1ed to the supporting arm 16 ofthe gri By the construction described the ends of the electrodes remote from the stem are securely held in the desired space relation to one another'and'therefore are not subject to relative movement with respect to one another due to slight vibrations of the device as a whole, or to any electrostatic stresses which may be set u While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent that, many modifications in the precise structure employed may be made without departing from the scope of my in vention, as set forth in the appended claims. What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. The combination in an electron discharge device of a cathode adapted to emit electrons, a helical grid and a cylindrical anode surrounding said cathode, a stem, leading-in conductors for said electrodes extending through said stem, three of said leadingin conductors serving to support the ends of said electrodes nearest the stem and a fourth leading-in conductor serving to support the ends of said electrodes remote from the stem, the support between said conductor and the end of the cathode being rigid.

2. The combination in an electron discharge device of a cathode adapted to emit electrons, a helical grid and a cylindrical anode surrounding said cathode, a stem, leading-in conductors for said electrodes extending through said stem, three of said leadingin conductors serving to support the ends of said electrodes nearest the stem, and means rawv associated with a fourth leading-in conductor for rigidly maintaining all of the electrodes in a desired space relatlon to one another.

8. The combination in an electron discharge device of a cathode adapted to emit electrons, grid and anode electrodes surrounding said cathode, a stem, leading-in conductors for said electrodes extending through said stem, three of said leading-in conductors serving to support the ends of said electrodes nearest the stem, a fourth leading-in conductor which terminates in a support which extends outside of said anode for supporting the end of said cathode remote from the stem, a body of insulating material secured to said last mentioned support and means secured to said body of insulating material for rigidly maintaining a desired space relation between the electrodes.

4. The combination in an electron discharge device of a cathode adapted to emit electrons, two other electrodes surrounding said cathode, a stem, leading-in conductors extending through said stem, three of said leading-in conductors serving to support the ends of said electrodes nearest the stem, a fourth leading-in conductor which terminates in a support which extends outside of said electro es, a body of insulating material secured to said last mentioned support, and means secured to said body of insulating material for rigidly maintaining a desired spaced relation between all of said electrodes.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my handthis 8th day of December, 1923. HENRY W. JACKSON. 

